Commuting - When to tell

Since I'm currently out of a job, I've sort of made it a point to look for ones close enough I can ride to. I'm not planning to rule out any job just because of distance, but if I can help it, I'd prefer to ride as opposed to drive.
So my question is, when do I tell my (potential) employer I'll be riding?
Or should I say nothing at all?
Should I drive the first few days, scoping a safe route?

The other question is: I've applied for a job as a night security guard, which would involve - for lack of a better description - "walking around all night". If I get it, I'd pretty much plan on using my bike to "patrol" as well. Kind of a pseudo-bike cop, if you will.
When I was in the military I occasionally got stuck with a roving watch (other mil-spec types will know what I mean) and almost always used my bike for that as well. No one ever had a problem with it, in fact most thought it was a great idea.
If I get the job is that something I should bring up?
If so, when? At the interview? After getting the job? Or I should I not mention it at all and just do it?

At this point I'm actually kind of excited about the proposition of being paid to essentially ride my bike, so I'm really looking hard at the security job.

Thank in advance for the advice guys. (and gals)

Why tell them?

Wait until after you are hired, then mention it.

How you get to work is really none of their business as long as you are there on time.

How you get around while at work is their business. I could see reasons they wouldn't want you riding your bike on patrol, however they might be open to the idea if you presented it to them as exactly that - an idea.

Hey Deamer,
I don't see a reason to mention it before you are hired. As long as you can report on-time, and perform your duties as laid out in your job description, I see no reason to disclose your mode of transport. Look at it this way; If you noticed that all the employees of this company drive Buicks, but you drive a Mercury, would you feel the need to disclose this?

As far as using your trusty steed while on patrol, I'd say that you can only make this call after being on the job long enough to determine your own comfort zone. IOW, if you feel comfortable enough with using your bike on your rounds, then maybe give it a shot, and then mention to your supervisor that this increases your efficiency and effectiveness. Just one thought: I don't know how sensitive the location of the security job might be, but the use of a bike can be a great advantage in large installations and/or quiet locations. Unless you tend to coast frequently on a freehub or freewheel bike, you can make your rounds much more quietly on two wheels than you can while walking, in many cases.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

How you get to work is really none of their business as long as you are there on time.

Exactly. Would you feel the need to tell them if you rode the bus to work every day?

I never told anyone at work that I ride my bike, but people have a way of figuring things out. I'm always there on time and I have a place to clean up and lock up my stuff, so nobody gives me any grief about it.

Instead of worrying about telling future employers, worry about how easy it would be to commute to each job. Scope routes before you get hired and ask yourself if they have bike racks, showers, etc.

I have an office job, and would want to consider

Is there a shower?
Is there somewhere safe to keep my bike?

So asking ahead of time is preferable... Maybe around the time you think you're likely to get a job offer. But it's a delicate subject, personally I wouldn't want to rule out a job based on the answer. And I wouldn't want to come across as being high maintenance either.

The best thing to do is tell them after you've ridden to work on your first day. Just drop a casual "I rode my bike here" into a conversation as though it's no big deal. Once they've seen that you can present yourself and get there on time first hand, they can't really object.

For getting to work, after landing the job I'd just do it.

For using the bike on the job, I'd wait a bit and see how the land lays then either just do it, or check with my supervisor first. Most likely I'd just do it then present it as an efficiency tool.

I wouldn't bring it up until you get the job. It's really none of their business and if you tell them before hand they may decide to pass on hiring you for some "unknown" reason.

Using the bike to get to work is not the issue here at all, but using on the job may be. There's nothing wrong with asking if anyone has done that and if it's a viable option. I would wait on asking that until you see that they are interested in actually hiring you. If it's a turn off to the questioner, then you may put the your chance of gettting the job in jeopardy.